Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said Wednesday that while integrating Afghanistan into the regional economic framework is increasingly vital, the threat of cross-border infiltration by terrorist and extremist groups from Afghan territory remains a serious concern for neighboring states.
Speaking at the 13th meeting of Security Council secretaries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow, Shoigu reiterated that Russia has recognized the Taliban and continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, according to Interfax news agency.
However, Shoigu cautioned that “the danger of fighters from terrorist and extremist groups entering CIS member states from Afghan territory persists,” and called for enhanced regional coordination to counter the threat.
“The risks are not abstract,” he said, emphasizing that addressing security challenges linked to Afghanistan requires collective, coordinated action by regional actors.
Shoigu also highlighted the ongoing implementation of a targeted program by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) aimed at strengthening the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan — a measure Moscow sees as crucial in combating narcotics trafficking and preventing the movement of armed groups across the porous frontier.
His remarks come as Russia has in recent months stepped up diplomatic messaging around the importance of engaging the Taliban administration and drawing Afghanistan into broader regional economic initiatives.
Moscow has expressed growing concern about the presence and activity of groups such as the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), which it views as a threat not only to Afghanistan’s stability but also to neighboring Central Asian republics and Russia itself.
